Jello 1 2 3

Show of hands.  Who remembers Jell-O 1-2-3?  You know, this stuff:

For those of you who have no idea what this is, let me explain.  Jell-O 1-2-3 was a gelatin dessert that after mixed, separated into three layers while chilling, one solid Jell-O, one a foamier Jell-O, and a third very foamy topping.  Sometime in the late 80s/early 90s, Jell-O discontinued it.  I have always been disappointed because it was one of my favorite childhood desserts.  Apparently there are a lot of other people who were also disappointed because I actually found an online petition to "Bring Back Jell-O 1-2-3".  With over 6,000 signatures.  Huh.  No, I did not sign it. 

Over Easter, my mom made the boys another dessert I used to love - finger jello - and it reminded me of Jell-O 1-2-3.  And guess what?  Google will tell you anything you want to know, including a mock recipe for Jell-O 1-2-3.  Here it is (and it's also on the back of the small packages of Sugar-Free Jell-O):

3/4 cup boiling water

1 sm pkg Jell-O Sugar Free gelatin, any flavor

Ice cubes

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup Cool Whip Lite, thawed

Add boiling water to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir until completely dissolved.  Pour into blender.  Add enough ice to the cold water to measure 1 1/4 cups.  Add to blender and blend for about 30 seconds until smooth.  Add Cool Whip and blend until smooth.  Pour into dessert cups and chill for 20 minutes until set. 

Now.  Although this seems really really easy...and it is...it's a pretty touchy recipe, I think.  It didn't separate into layers the first time I made it.

And I really don't know what I did wrong.  It still tasted good, just didn't separate.  I tried again later and it worked just fine, but it only separated into two layers not three like the original store-bought stuff did. 

Again, I don't know what, if anything, I did different that made it work.  The only trick I can think of is that it might work to fill all the dessert cups halfway and then go back a minute later and slowly add more after it starts setting. 

My other caution is to not try to make a double batch of this unless you have a massive blender because your kitchen counter will look like this:

So, there you go.  Blast from the past.  If anyone else tries it and it works great, let me know what you think the trick is.  Enjoy!

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